Thursday, November 11, 2010

Okay . . . you haven't been waiting for this moment at all because you didn't know IT was even coming.

But I've been waiting for this moment . . . counting the days until I could announce a little blog event I've been planning:

twelve (plus) days of traditions

You may have guessed that this event was originally supposed to be 12 days . . . the 12 days before December 1. However, I got a bit carried away with scheduling, and I ended up with 15 days of traditions that some amazing bloggers will be sharing.

I've spent the last ten months making gifts. I don't regret a minute of it. However, the reality is that in twenty years, my girls may not remember even one of those gifts.

But they will remember our family traditions.

They will remember that we put up our tree on December 6 - St. Nicholas' Day and had an indoor picnic by the tree. And they will remember that they got to open their St. Nicholas' boxes filled with candy and a few small gifts.

They will remember the lighting of the Advent wreath every night at dinner.

They will remember driving around looking at the Christmas' light in our town.

They will remember the Christmas Eve candlelight service at church, opening jammies by the tree and eating finger food until bed time.

Twelve (plus) days of traditions will give us a sneak peak into the traditions of some of our favorite bloggers in an effort to inspire us all to take time for traditions . . . to pause in the midst of all our crafting, gift-making and decorating and carve out some traditions for families. These amazing ladies have agreed to give us a little peak into their lives during the holidays.

My regularly scheduled programming (if you can call it that) will be put on hold for these three weeks to help us focus on taking time for traditions.

But there will be some surprises along the way.

And I hope you will join us by posting your traditions on your own blog. I will put up a linky on Monday and leave it up all three weeks for you to link up your own tradition posts . . . as many as you want to write. Join us!

**And see that little twelve (plus) days of traditions button in the right sidebar, feel free to include that in your traditions posts or on your blog so others can find this great source of traditions.**

15 comments:

I must be psychic because I KNEW it was coming... either that or I spied your new button in the sidebar a couple days ago. I'll let you choose which you think is most viable...

Great lineup! I can't wait to hear about everyone's traditions. I love traditions but I am so terrible at actually making the effort to do them... Did I tell you we didn't even put up our Christmas tree last year? My son's first Christmas and... no tree. NOTHING Christmasy or holidayish at all. I am terrible...

I love this idea! I will tell you, however, you kids will remember the gifts you made for them. I can still remember the clothes dolls I received from my mom. I still have one of those todays. I remember the homemade doll furniture my parents worked so hard to make. I remember those things because they were extra special. And the traditions were another gift--one's I am so excited to pass on to my own family.

Fun! I love your blog!!! You have really inspired me to try new crafts, and I just REALLY REALLY like your blog!!! Thank you so much for sharing so many tutorials (which are so helpful). I'm hosting an Old-Fashion Christmas event later this month and I am planning to try some of your tutorials!Many Blessings,Grace

I'm so looking forward to learning of other families' traditions and hopefully expanding ours.

I wish that I'd found your blog earlier as it is so inspiring. 12 Crafts til Christmas is something that I'm going to be doing next year as I reckon the 12 projects will be a big boost to the present/decoration stash without increasing stress levels.In fact I'm so inspired and impressed that I've done a feature post on your blog today http://www.sewretrosoyou.net/2010/11/featured-on-friday-twelve-crafts-till.html and would love to give you the Sew Wonderful Blog Award. You have motivated me to finally get out the sewing machine and get on with learning to sew;-DKeep inspiring us all.Blessings, Amanda

blogging manners

I try to teach my kids good manners. I'm not sure how successful I've been though. But when I hear them say "please" or "thank you", I know my persistence is paying off. I try to use good manners on my blog too . . . giving credit where credit is due by linking back to projects or ideas from other crafty bloggers. I ask you to do the same. If, in some rare instance, you are inspired enough to blog about something I tried or use an idea you find here, please link back to me (if it's my idea) or the original blogger. Feel free to use my original ideas and tutorials for personal use only (gifts or self) not for profit!